WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Danny Espinoza socked a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning Monday and the Washington Nationals went on to a 4-2 win over Pittsburgh.
The Pirates had managed to tie the contest 2-2 in the top of the seventh when Andrew McCutchen tripled home Ronny Cedeno off Cole Kimball (1-0).
But the Nats came right back in the bottom of the frame. Michael Morse collected a one-out single off Pirates starter Paul Maholm (1-6) and Espinoza then greeted reliever Jose Ascanio with a go-ahead homer.
Jerry Hairston Jr. added a solo shot for Washington, which took the first contest of a two-game series against the Bucs.
Nats starter John Lannan got a no-decision after allowing just two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. Drew Storen notched his ninth save despite allowing two hits in the ninth.
McCutchen, Cedeno and Jose Tabata each collected two hits for Pittsburgh.
